Stabilizing element for a shoe

ABSTRACT

Described is a stabilizing element ( 10 ) for a shoe sole, in particular for a mountaineering shoe, comprising: (a) a first plate ( 11 ), comprising at least one opening ( 12 ); (b) a second plate ( 13 ) arranged at least partially in the opening ( 12 ); and (c) a third plate ( 14 ) arranged at least partially in the opening ( 12 ) and arranged at least partially above the second plate ( 13 ), wherein the third plate ( 14 ) comprises a substantially higher bending stiffness than the second plate ( 13 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority benefits from German Patent Application No. DE 10 2015 204 060.7 filed on Mar. 6, 2015, entitled Stabilizing element for a shoe, in particular a mountaineering shoe (“the '060.7 application”). The '060.7 application is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stabilizing element for a shoe, in particular, a mountaineering shoe, and to a shoe comprising said stabilizing element.

BACKGROUND

Mountaineering shoes are required to support a wearer's foot in steep and rough terrain, to protect a wearer's foot from injuries caused by stones and ice, and to allow for the attachment of crampons, if needed. Therefore, mountaineering shoes usually have very stiff soles. More specifically, the force and/or torque needed to bend the soles to a certain degree is high compared to other types of shoes, such as running shoes. To this end, typical mountaineering shoes utilize a sandwich construction, having a rigid plate directly above a rubber outsole, and a cushioning midsole above the rigid plate.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. RE40,474 E relates to a multilayer sole for sport shoes. The sole comprises three layers: a flexible outer or ground contact sole having ground-gripping and abrasion resistance properties, an upper or comfort layer positioned directly beneath the foot, having elastic shock-absorption properties, and an intermediate layer or rib positioned directly between the upper portion of the ground contact sole and the lower portion of the comfort layer, having torsional rigidity properties, which provide for the distribution of shocks sensed by the ground contact sole, and for the diffusion of shocks over the comfort layer before they come into contact with the foot.

EP 0 981 973 A1 relates to an inner sole for a sports shoe, in particular, a mountain-climbing or hiking boot, having an anatomically shaped body made of plastic material, and a strengthening insert embedded within the body. The insert has a longitudinally ribbed structure that includes a main portion extending along the sole of the foot. The insert is wide enough to provide a high degree of torsional rigidity for the inner sole, and has a narrow front appendix that extends from the main portion, and is connected to the main portion substantially at the metatarsus.

However, rigid plates used to increase the bending stiffness of the soles tend to become brittle, especially at low temperatures (as typically experienced at high altitudes) and, thus, require reinforcement and insulation. Such measures, however, increase the weight of such soles. Additionally, a rigid plate arranged above a rubber outsole decreases the adaptability of the outsole to the ground, which, in turn, decreases the traction of the outsole.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a stabilizing element for a shoe, in particular, a mountaineering shoe, which is able to provide a high degree of stiffness to the shoe, is durable, especially at low temperatures, yet lightweight, and does not impair traction of the shoe.

SUMMARY

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a stabilizing element for a shoe comprises a first plate comprising at least one opening; a second plate arranged at least partially in the opening; and a third plate arranged at least partially in the opening and arranged at least partially above the second plate, wherein the third plate comprises a bending stiffness that is substantially higher than a bending stiffness of the second plate.

In some embodiments, the bending stiffness of the second plate is substantially higher than a bending stiffness of the first plate.

In certain embodiments, the second plate and the third plate each comprise a base material having a fiber reinforcement. In some embodiments, the base material of the second plate comprises approximately 5% to 20% fiber reinforcement, and the base material of the third plate comprises approximately 20% to 50% fiber reinforcement. The fiber reinforcement, in some embodiments, comprises glass fibers.

In certain embodiments, the first plate comprises a base material that is free of fiber reinforcement.

In some embodiments, the first plate, the second plate and the third plate are made from the same base material. The base material of the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate, in certain embodiments, is polyamide.

The third plate, in some embodiments, is approximately 1 mm to 3 mm thick.

In certain embodiments, the bending stiffness of the third plate is at least two times higher than the bending stiffness of the second plate.

In some embodiments, the bending stiffness of the second plate is at least two times higher than the bending stiffness of the first plate.

The first plate, in certain embodiments, has a modulus of elasticity that is approximately 600 MPa to 1500 MPa. The second plate, in some embodiments, has a modulus of elasticity that is approximately 2000 MPa to 4000 MPa. The third plate, in certain embodiments, has a modulus of elasticity that is approximately 9000 MPa to 13000 MPa.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a stabilizing element for a shoe sole comprises a first plate having at least one opening; a second plate arranged at least partially in the opening; and a third plate arranged at least partially in the opening and at least partially above the second plate, wherein the third plate comprises a plurality of ribs arranged in a longitudinal direction of the stabilizing element.

In some embodiments, the second plate comprises a plurality of ribs arranged in a longitudinal direction of the stabilizing element. In certain embodiments, the plurality of ribs of the third plate coincide with the plurality of ribs of the second plate.

The plurality of ribs of the third plate, in some embodiments, have a height of approximately 1 mm to 3 mm.

The plurality of ribs of the second plate, in certain embodiments, have a height of approximately 1 mm to 5 mm.

In certain embodiments, the base material of the third plate has a 4% strain at break at 0° C.

The stabilizing element, in some embodiments, covers the entire foot of a wearer of a shoe into which the stabilizing element is to be incorporated.

In some embodiments, the at least one opening in the first plate is arranged such that the second plate and the third plate do not extend outside of a shoe into which the stabilizing element is to be integrated.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a shoe comprises an outsole; an upper; and a stabilizing element comprising a first plate having at least one opening, a second plate arranged at least partially in the opening, and a third plate arranged at least partially in the opening and at least partially above the second plate, wherein the third plate comprises a bending stiffness that is substantially higher than a bending stiffness of the second plate, wherein the stabilizing element is arranged between the outsole and the upper.

In some embodiments, the shoe also comprises a midsole arranged between the outsole and the stabilizing element.

In certain embodiments, the outsole is made of rubber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, embodiments of the invention are described referring to the following figures:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a stabilizing element, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the stabilizing element of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a detail view of a third plate of the stabilizing element of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a finite element analysis of a stabilizing element, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, regarding the strain at a bending angle of 15°.

FIG. 2B shows a finite element analysis of a stabilizing element, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, regarding the strain at a bending angle of 60°.

FIG. 3 shows a finite element analysis of a stabilizing element, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, regarding the stress at a bending angle of 30°.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a finite element analysis of a stabilizing element, according to certain embodiments of the present invention regarding the strain at a bending angle of 30°.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shoe, according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by a stabilizing element for a shoe sole, in particular for a mountaineering shoe, comprising (a) a first plate, having at least one opening, (b) a second plate arranged at least partially in the opening, and (c) a third plate arranged at least partially in the opening and at least partially above the second plate, wherein the third plate comprises a substantially higher bending stiffness than the second plate.

In the stabilizing element according to the invention, the third plate has a substantially (i.e. within manufacturing tolerances) higher bending stiffness than the second plate, and is arranged above the second plate (i.e. closer to a foot of a wearer). The arrangement of the stiff third plate above the more flexible second plate (closer to the foot) provides a high degree of bending stiffness to the stabilizing element, and thus to the shoe sole into which the stabilizing element is to be integrated.

The stiff and rigid third plate is insulated between the foot and the second plate (and the outsole and midsole in the finished shoe). This arrangement avoids, or at least reduces the risk of, fracturing the stiff and rigid third plate due to the impact of, for example, rocks or ice. Additionally, this insulating arrangement maintains the temperature of the stiff and rigid third plate within acceptable ranges, thus avoiding, or at least reducing, the risk that it becomes brittle. Due to this arrangement, no additional reinforcement or insulation of the stiff and rigid third plate is required, which would otherwise increase the weight of the shoe sole into which the stabilizing element is to be integrated.

Thus, the third plate may have a much higher stiffness and experience little bending because of the insulation it receives from its placement by the foot.

When the stabilizing element is integrated into the shoe sole, the stiff and rigid third plate is spaced apart from the outsole by the second plate. As a result, the shoe sole is more adaptable to the ground and traction is increased because the second plate, which is closer to the outsole, is less stiff than the third plate. Moreover, the arrangement of the plates according to the invention achieves a balance, providing both the stiffness required for a mountaineering shoe and sufficient flexibility for walking.

The second plate and the third plate are housed in an opening in the first plate. In this way, the first plate protects the second plate and the stiff and rigid third plate from the outside (i.e. from rocks and ice). Furthermore, the first plate provides insulation for and helps maintain the temperature of the rigid and stiff third plate within acceptable ranges, thereby avoiding, or at least reducing, the risk that the third plate becomes brittle.

The second plate may have a substantially higher bending stiffness than the first plate. In this way, the second plate adds to the overall bending stiffness of the stabilizing element. However, because the bending stiffness of the second plate is substantially lower than the bending stiffness of the third plate, low temperatures are not as critical for the second plate (which is arranged closer to the outsole and farther from the foot) as they are for the more stiff and rigid third plate. Furthermore, due to the lower bending stiffness of the second plate, the outsole is more adaptable to the ground, and traction of the outsole is improved.

The second plate and the third plate may each comprise a base material that may be reinforced with fibers. Fiber reinforcement is a very effective measure for increasing the bending stiffness of materials. Furthermore, by varying the degree (i.e. the fiber density) of fiber reinforcement, bending stiffness and elasticity of the plates may be adjusted easily and precisely.

The base material of the second plate may comprise a fiber reinforcement of approximately 5% to 20%, and the base material of the third plate may comprise a fiber reinforcement of approximately 20% to 50%. In some embodiments, the base material of the second plate may comprise approximately 15% fiber reinforcement, and the base material of the third plate may comprise approximately 50% fiber reinforcement. These degrees of fiber reinforcement have shown to result in sufficient bending stiffness of the stabilizing element, while, at the same time, limiting the risk that the plates become brittle at low temperatures.

The fibers may be glass fibers. Glass fibers are readily available, rather simple to handle, and may be easily applied to suitable base materials.

The first plate may comprise a base material that may not be reinforced with fibers. Thus, reducing the risk that the first plate, which forms a kind of frame for the second and third plates, becomes brittle at low temperatures.

The first plate, the second plate, and the third plate may be made from the same base material. The use of the same base material makes bonding between the base materials easier than it would be if the base materials were different. This also eases manufacturing of the stabilizing element and adds to its durability.

The base material of the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate may be polyamide. Polyamide is much more durable than the nylon used in conventional mountaineering shoes. The construction of the stabilizing element, according to certain embodiments of the invention, allows the more brittle polyamide to be used instead of nylon. Moreover, polyamide does not experience any kind of permanent deformation after multiple uses.

Additionally, the base material of the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate may be TPU or polyether block amide (PEBA). The base material of the third plate may comprise carbon, as the third plate may experience a very high bending stiffness due to its placement in the stabilizing element.

The third plate may be approximately 1 mm to 3 mm thick. Such a thickness has shown to result in a sufficiently stiff stabilizing element that is rather lightweight.

The bending stiffness of the third plate may be at least two times higher than the bending stiffness of the second plate. Thus, the third plate adds the required stiffness to the stabilizing element, while its insulating arrangement between the foot and the second plate avoids, or at least reduces the risk that, the third plate becomes brittle at low temperatures. Furthermore, since the less stiff second plate is arranged near the outsole, the shoe sole into which the stabilizing element is to be integrated, remains more adaptable to the ground.

The bending stiffness of the second plate may be at least two times higher than the bending stiffness of the first plate. The second plate adds to the overall stiffness of the stabilizing element, while the first plate may safely extend to the outside without the risk of becoming brittle at low temperatures and maintain sufficient ductility to withstand snow, ice and rocks.

The first plate may have a modulus of elasticity that is approximately 600 to 1500 MPa. The second plate may have a modulus of elasticity that is approximately 2000 to 4000 MPa. The third plate may have a modulus of elasticity that is approximately 9000 to 13000 MPa. In some embodiments, the modulus of elasticity of the first plate may be approximately 1100 MPa, the modulus of elasticity of the second plate may be approximately 3000 MPa, and the modulus of elasticity of the third plate may be approximately 11500 MPa. These moduli of elasticity have shown to provide a stabilizing element that is sufficiently stiff, yet lightweight and durable.

The third plate may comprise ribs arranged along a longitudinal direction of the stabilizing element. The second plate may also comprise ribs arranged along a longitudinal direction of the stabilizing element. Ribs reduce weight by decreasing the amount of material used. Furthermore, ribs arranged in the longitudinal direction (i.e. in the direction from a heel portion to a toe portion of a shoe into which the stabilizing element is to be integrated) increase the bending stiffness by preventing, or at least restricting, bending of the plates.

The ribs of the third plate may coincide with the ribs of the second plate. In this arrangement, high bending stiffness may be achieved because the ribs in the third plate engage with the corresponding ribs in the second plate.

The ribs of the third plate may have a height of approximately 1 to 3 mm. The ribs of the second plate may have a height of 1 to 5 mm. Such heights have shown to provide sufficient bending stiffness while, at the same time, keeping the strain in the ribs sufficiently low when the stabilizing element is bent.

The base material of the third plate may have 4% strain at break at 0° C. With the desirable arrangement of plates in the stabilizing element according to the invention, strain of the third plate is well below this limit, even at extreme bending angles.

The stabilizing element may be adapted to essentially cover the entire foot of a wearer of a shoe into which the stabilizing element is to be integrated. In this way, a high bending stiffness is achieved over the entire length of the foot.

The opening in the first plate may be arranged such that the second plate and the third plate do not extend to the outside of a shoe into which the stabilizing element is to be integrated. Thus, the second plate and in particular the stiff and rigid third plate are protected from the outside, in particular from low temperatures, rocks or ice.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a shoe, in particular a mountaineering shoe, comprising (a) an outsole, (b) an upper, and (c) a stabilizing element, as described above, that is arranged between the outsole and the upper.

The shoe may comprise a midsole arranged between the outsole and the stabilizing element. The midsole may provide cushioning to the shoe. Furthermore, the midsole may further insulate the second plate, and, in particular, the stiff and rigid third plate.

The outsole may be made from rubber. Rubber is readily available, durable, and provides for very good traction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

In the following, embodiments and variations of the present invention are described in detail.

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show some embodiments of a stabilizing element 10. FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the stabilizing element 10 and FIG. 1C shows a detail view of a third plate 14 of the stabilizing element 10. The stabilizing element 10 comprises a first plate 11, a second plate 13, and a third plate 14. The first plate 11 comprises at least one opening 12 as shown in FIG. 1C. The second plate 13 is arranged at least partially in the opening 12. Also the first plate 14 is arranged at least partially in the opening 12. For example, as may be seen in FIG. 1B, the border of the second plate 13 and the border of the third plate 14 overlap a corresponding border of the opening 12 in the first plate 11. However, most of the second plate 13 and the third plate 14 are fully arranged in the opening 12 in the first plate 11.

Furthermore, the third plate 14 is arranged at least partially above the second plate 13. This means that the third plate 14 is arranged closer to a foot of a wearer of a shoe into which the stabilizing element 10, according to certain embodiments of the invention, is to be integrated. Likewise, the second plate 13 is arranged closer to an outsole of a shoe into which the stabilizing element 10 is to be integrated.

Furthermore, the third plate 14 comprises a substantially higher bending stiffness than the second plate 13. Bending stiffness may be measured by bending the plates and/or the stabilizing element while at the same time measuring the force and/or torque needed to bend the plate and/or the stabilizing element to a certain angle. Bending stiffness is higher if a higher force and/or torque is needed to achieve the same bending angle.

The base material of the first plate 11, the second plate 13, and the third plate 14, may, for example, be polyamide. Other materials, such as TPU or polyether block amide (PEBA), may be used as well. The base material of the third plate 14 may be based on carbon. The first plate 11, the second plate 13, and the third plate 14 may be made from the same base material. Alternatively, different base materials may be used. Generally, the base material of the third plate 14 may have e.g. a 4% strain at break at 0° C. The construction of the stabilizing element according to certain embodiments of the present invention guarantees that the strain of the third plate 14, even in extreme situations, is well below this level.

The base material of the second plate 13 and the base material of the third plate 14 may be reinforced with fibers, such as glass or carbon fibers. For example, the second plate 13 may comprise approximately 15% fiber reinforcement, and the third plate 14 may comprise approximately 50% fiber reinforcement. The first plate 11 may not be reinforced with fibers at all. Consequently, the bending stiffness of the second plate 13 is higher than the bending stiffness of the first plate 11. For example, the bending stiffness of the second plate 13 may be at least two times higher than this bending stiffness of the first plate 11. Furthermore, due to the different degrees of fiber reinforcement, the bending stiffness of third plate 14 may be at least two times higher than the bending stiffness of the second plate 13. The desired degree of bending stiffness may also be achieved without the use of fiber reinforcement. For example, the desired degree of bending stiffness may be achieved by using different base materials for the plates.

The first plate may have a modulus of elasticity that may be approximately 600 to 1500 MPa. The second plate may have a modulus of elasticity that may be approximately 2000 to 4000 MPa. The third plate may have a modulus of elasticity that may be approximately 9000 to 13000 MPa. Specifically, the modulus of elasticity of the first plate 11 may be approximately 1100 MPA. The modulus of elasticity of the second plate 13 may be approximately 3000 MPA and the modulus of elasticity of the third plate 14 may be approximately 11500 MPA.

In certain embodiments of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the third plate 14 is approximately 1 mm thick. Due to the arrangement of plates according to the invention, this thickness is sufficient to achieve the desired high bending stiffness of the entire stabilizing element 10.

In certain embodiments of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the third plate 14 comprises ribs, two of which are denoted by the reference numeral 15. The ribs 15 are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the stabilizing element 10 (i.e. in a direction from a heel portion to a toe portion of a shoe into which the stabilizing element 10 is to be integrated). The ribs 15 of the third plate 14 have a height of approximately 1 to 3 mm.

Also, in certain embodiments of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the second plate 13 comprises ribs, two of which are denoted by the reference numeral 16. The ribs 16 are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the stabilizing element 10 and have a height of approximately 1 to 5 mm. As shown in FIG. 1B, the ribs 15 of the third plate 14 coincide with the ribs 16 of the second plate 13. However, it is also possible that the ribs do not coincide.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the stabilizing element 10 essentially covers the entire foot of a wearer of a shoe into which the stabilizing element is to be integrated. Thus, the stabilizing element extends from a heel portion 17 a over a midfoot portion 17 b to a toe portion 17 c.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the opening 12 in the first plate 11 is arranged such that the second plate 13 and the third plate 14 do not extend to the outside of a shoe into which the stabilizing element 10 is to be integrated. Thus, the first plate 11 provides for a rim 18 which protects the second plate 13 and the third plate 14 from the outside (i.e. from rocks and ice).

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the first plate 11 of the stabilizing element 10 may comprise a second opening 19 in the heel portion. A cushioning or shock-absorbing member (not shown in the figures) may be arranged in the opening 19.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the stabilizing element 10 may optionally comprise a heel support member 110 in the heel portion 17 a. In certain embodiments of FIGS. 1A and 1C, the heel support member 110 is cup-shaped and entirely surrounds the heel of a foot of a wearer of a shoe into which the stabilizing element 10 is to be integrated. However, it is also possible that the heel support member 110 only covers a part of the heel. Furthermore, in certain embodiments of FIGS. 1A and 1C, the heel support member 110 is integrally formed with the first plate 11. This adds overall strength and stability, and gives a simpler construction. However, it is also possible that the heel support member 110 is attached to the first plate 11, for example, by gluing or welding.

FIG. 2A shows a finite element analysis of a stabilizing element 10 according to certain embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the strain level in percent at a bending angle of 15° is shown. The strain in the third plate 14 is at approximately 0%, which means that there is no risk of breaking the plate, even at very low temperatures. The finite element analysis also shows that the plate bending stiffness at a bending angle of 15° is approximately 27 Nm.

FIG. 2B shows a finite element analysis of a stabilizing element 10 according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 2B shows the strain level percentage at a bending angle of 60°. The strain in the third plate 14 is between 0% and approximately 1%, meaning that there is almost no risk of breaking the plate, even at very low temperatures. As shown in FIG. 2B, the strain in the second plate 13 is higher, being about 4%. However, as the second plate 13 comprises a substantially lower bending stiffness than the third plate 14, it is less brittle, especially at low temperatures, so the risk of breaking the second plate 13 is low.

FIG. 3 shows a finite element analysis of a stabilizing element 10 according to certain embodiments of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 3 shows the stress level percentage at a bending angle of 30°. As may be seen, the stress in the first plate 11 and the stress in the second plate 13 are rather low, whereas the third plate 14 experiences a medium stress level. Accordingly, the third plate 14 is mostly responsible for the bending stiffness of the entire stabilizing element 10.

FIG. 4 shows a finite element analysis of a stabilizing element 10 according to certain embodiments of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 4 shows the strain level percentage at a bending angle of 30° for almost the entire stabilizing element 10. The strain level is moderate and, at most, approximately 1% for the third plate 14. Also, in the region of the heel support member 110, the strain level does not exceed 4%, and is, for the most part, approximately 2%. This means that the risk of breaking the heel support member 110 is rather low.

FIG. 5 shows a shoe 50 according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The shoe 50 is a mountaineering shoe comprising an outsole 51, an upper 52, a midsole 53 and a stabilizing element 10, as described above, arranged between the midsole 53 and the upper 52. The stabilizing element 10 may be glued, sewn, welded, or otherwise fixed to other components of the shoe 50, e.g. the outsole 51, upper 52, midsole 53, etc. The outsole 51 may be made from rubber, and the upper 52 may be made from conventional materials like polyester, etc.

The shoe 50 also comprises a midsole 53 arranged between the outsole 51 and the stabilizing element 10. However, a midsole is an optional element, and may be omitted in certain embodiments.

In the following, further examples are described to facilitate the understanding of the invention:

-   1. A stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole, in particular for a     mountaineering shoe, comprising:     -   a. a first plate (11), comprising at least one opening (12);     -   b. a second plate (13) arranged at least partially in the         opening (12); and     -   c. a third plate (14) arranged at least partially in the opening         (12) and arranged at least partially above the second plate         (13), wherein the third plate (14) comprises a substantially         higher bending stiffness than the second plate (13). -   2. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to the     preceding example, wherein the second plate (13) comprises a     substantially higher bending stiffness than the first plate (11). -   3. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any one     of the preceding examples, wherein the base material of the second     plate (13) and the base material of the third plate (14) is     reinforced with fibers. -   4. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to example     3, wherein the second plate (13) comprises 5% to 20% fiber     reinforcement and the third plate (14) comprises 20% to 50% fiber     reinforcement. -   5. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any one     of examples 3 to 4, wherein the fibers are glass fibers. -   6. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any one     of the preceding examples, wherein the base material of the first     plate (11) is not reinforced with fibers. -   7. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any one     of the preceding examples, wherein the first plate (11), the second     plate (13) and the third plate (14) are made from the same base     material. -   8. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any one     of the preceding examples, wherein the base material of the first     plate (11), the second plate (13) and the third plate (14) is     polyamide. -   9. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any one     of the preceding examples, wherein the third plate (14) is     approximately 1 to 3 mm thick. -   10. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of the preceding examples, wherein the bending stiffness of the     third plate (14) is at least two times higher than the bending     stiffness of the second plate (13). -   11. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of the preceding examples, wherein the bending stiffness of the     second plate (13) is at least two times higher than the bending     stiffness of the first plate (11). -   12. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of the preceding examples, wherein the modulus of elasticity of     the first plate (11) is 600 to 1500 MPa. -   13. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of the preceding examples, wherein the modulus of elasticity of     the second plate (13) is 2000 to 4000 MPa. -   14. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of the preceding examples, wherein the modulus of elasticity of     the third plate (14) is 9000 to 13000 MPa. -   15. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of the preceding examples, wherein the third plate (14)     comprises ribs (15) arranged in a longitudinal direction of the     stabilizing element (10). -   16. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of the preceding examples, wherein the second plate (13)     comprises ribs (16) arranged in a longitudinal direction of the     stabilizing element (10). -   17. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to     examples 15 and 16, wherein the ribs (15) of the third plate (14)     coincide with the ribs (16) of the second plate (13). -   18. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of examples 15 to 17, wherein the ribs (15) of the third plate     (14) have a height of approximately 1 to 3 mm. -   19. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of examples 16 to 18, wherein the ribs (16) of the second plate     (13) have a height of approximately 1 to 5 mm. -   20. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of the preceding examples, wherein the base material of the     third plate (14) has a 4% strain at break at 0° C. -   21. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of the preceding examples, wherein the stabilizing element (10)     essentially covers the entire foot of a wearer of a shoe into which     the stabilizing element (10) is to be integrated. -   22. The stabilizing element (10) for a shoe sole according to any     one of the preceding examples, wherein the opening (12) in the first     plate (11) is arranged such that the second plate (13) and the third     plate (14) do not extend to the outside of a shoe into which the     stabilizing element (10) is to be integrated. -   23. Shoe, in particular a mountaineering shoe, comprising:     -   a. an outsole;     -   b. an upper; and     -   c. a stabilizing element (10) according to one of the preceding         examples arranged between the outsole and the upper. -   24. The shoe according to the preceding example, comprising a     midsole arranged between the outsole and the stabilizing element     (10). -   25. The shoe according to any one of examples 23 to 24, wherein the     outsole is made from rubber.

Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A stabilizing element for a shoe sole comprising: a first plate comprising at least one opening; a second plate arranged at least partially in the at least one opening; and a third plate arranged at least partially in the at least one opening and arranged at least partially above the second plate, wherein the third plate comprises a bending stiffness that is substantially higher than a bending stiffness of the second plate.
 2. The stabilizing element of claim 1, wherein the bending stiffness of the second plate is substantially higher than a bending stiffness of the first plate.
 3. The stabilizing element of claim 1, wherein the second plate and the third plate each comprise a base material having a fiber reinforcement.
 4. The stabilizing element of claim 3, wherein the base material of the second plate comprises approximately 5% to 20% fiber reinforcement and the base material of the third plate comprises approximately 20% to 50% fiber reinforcement.
 5. The stabilizing element of claim 3, wherein the fiber reinforcement comprises glass fibers.
 6. The stabilizing element of claim 1, wherein the first plate comprises a base material that is free of fiber reinforcement.
 7. The stabilizing element of claim 6, wherein the first plate, the second plate and the third plate are made from the same base material.
 8. The stabilizing element of claim 7, wherein the base material of the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate is polyamide.
 9. The stabilizing element of claim 1, wherein the third plate is approximately 1 mm to 3 mm thick.
 10. The stabilizing element of claim 1, wherein the bending stiffness of the third plate is at least two times higher than the bending stiffness of the second plate.
 11. The stabilizing element of claim 1, wherein the bending stiffness of the second plate is at least two times higher than the bending stiffness of the first plate.
 12. The stabilizing element of claim 1, wherein the first plate has a modulus of elasticity that is approximately 600 MPa to 1500 MPa.
 13. The stabilizing element of claim 1, wherein the second plate has a modulus of elasticity that is approximately 2000 MPa to 4000 MPa.
 14. The stabilizing element of claim 1, wherein the third plate has a modulus of elasticity that is approximately 9000 MPa to 13000 MPa.
 15. A stabilizing element for a shoe sole comprising: a first plate having at least one opening; a second plate, which is arranged at least partially in the at least one opening; and a third plate, which is arranged at least partially in the at least one opening and at least partially above the second plate, wherein the third plate comprises a plurality of ribs arranged in a longitudinal direction of the stabilizing element.
 16. The stabilizing element of claim 15, wherein the second plate comprises a plurality of ribs arranged in a longitudinal direction of the stabilizing element.
 17. The stabilizing element of claim 16, wherein the plurality of ribs of the third plate coincide with the plurality of ribs of the second plate.
 18. The stabilizing element of claim 15, wherein the plurality of ribs of the third plate have a height of approximately 1 mm to 3 mm.
 19. The stabilizing element of claim 16, wherein the plurality of ribs of the second plate have a height of approximately 1 mm to 5 mm.
 20. The stabilizing element of claim 1, wherein the base material of the third plate has a 4% strain at break at 0° C.
 21. The stabilizing element of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing element covers an entire foot of a wearer of a shoe into which the stabilizing element is to be integrated.
 22. The stabilizing element of claim 1 wherein the at least one opening in the first plate is arranged such that the second plate and the third plate do not extend outside of a shoe into which the stabilizing element is to be integrated.
 23. A shoe comprising: an outsole; an upper; and a stabilizing element comprising (i) a first plate having at least one opening, (ii) a second plate, which is arranged at least partially in the at least one opening, and (iii) a third plate, which is arranged at least partially in the at least one opening and at least partially above the second plate, wherein the third plate comprises a bending stiffness that is substantially higher than a bending stiffness of the second plate, wherein the stabilizing element is arranged between the outsole and the upper.
 24. The shoe of claim 23, further comprising a midsole arranged between the outsole and the stabilizing element.
 25. The shoe of claim 23, wherein the outsole is made of rubber. 